Despite the increasing trend of foreign soap operas and movies, our local productions continue to survive and thrive. The credit surely goes to strong storylines, direction and good production but saying that actors are not an integral part of this success will be wrong. Therefore, we bring you a list of top 10 male and female TV actors of Pakistan that made us laugh and cry throughout the year.

Fawad Khan

The hunk of the Pakistani television industry, Fawad Khan became an instant heartthrob with his killer smile and intense eyes since he made his appearance as the band member of Entity Pardigm (EP). But what took him to new heights was Humsafar, in which he played a romantic husband who ends up hating his wife. Since then, Fawad has worked in many serials, with Zindagi Gulzar Hai being his latest venture. Let’s see how well he fares in this one.

Fahad Mustafa

The renowned Fahad Mustafa came into the limelight for his silent role in Sheeshay Ka Mahal in 2002. However, his lead role in 2011 Main Abdul Qadir Hoon proved to be a milestone for his career. Since then, Fahad is a well-recognised face of TV industry. However, it’s his portrayal of a rich, spoilt politician in Mera Saeen 2 that became a hit.

Adeel Hussain

The ‘John Abraham’ of Pakistan is famously remembered as Ibad of Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu. Adeel Hussain received rave reviews for his acting in the serial, which followed the fame of Humsafar. Although Adeel had appeared in many drama serials before this one, his character as a son of a business tycoon who marries a girl without his parents’ consent, earned him a well-deserved spotlight.

Faizan Khawaja

The Pakistani actor, who has appeared in some minor Bollywood films, is famous for his work in several Pakistani TV serials. His recent venture is Aik Nayee Cinderella, where he plays a poor boy who befriends an orphan girl and helps her win the love of a rich cousin. Faizan, working alongside some big names of the industry, has managed to get himself noticed with his strong performance.

Syra Yousuf

VJ and model Syra Yousuf, ventured into acting with her drama serial Mera Naseeb. Her character Nazia — a young, pretty girl who sacrifices her love for her family and marries a man of her mother’s choice — received widespread appreciation from viewers. Her recent drama Tanhaiyan Naye Silsilay, sees Syra in a bubbly character Serena along with her husband Shehroz Sabzwari. She can also be seen in another TV show, Coke Kahani.

Samina Peerzada

The veteran TV actor Samina Peerzada, who has become the celebrated ‘TV mom’ of the industry, executes every performance with perfection. The famous actor has big projects to her name, be it small screen projects or silver screen ones. Her recent drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai, sees her in a role of a middle-class, struggling mother who wants to give her daughters the best education. Two thumbs up for this one, but none for her role of a nagging nani in Shehr-e-Zaat.

Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui

The young actor-model has made a name for himself in a short period. His performance in Meray Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley, as a deaf-mute young man, marked his breakthrough. Currently, he is seen romancing Alishba Yousuf in Tanhaiyan Naye Silsilay and is also seen in a supporting role in Zindagi Gulzar Hai.

Hina Dilpazeer

The versatile actor, who is famously known as Momo from Bulbulay, got rave reviews for her role in comedy drama Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah. She plays a variety of roles in the serial, with each one being entirely different from the other in appearance, accent and performance. The drama series became heavily popular soon after its telecast and surpassed the record of many blockbuster Pakistani dramas.

Sarwat Gilani

The young actor has become a familiar face of the industry with her plays like Meri Zaat Zarrae Benishan, Saiqa, Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat etc. However her role in Mata-e-Jaan as a grieving widow, who endeavours to win the love of her dead husband’s parents, took her to new heights. Her pair with Adeel Hussain was widely appreciated by the audience.

Sanam Baloch

The young, versatile and bubbly actor Sanam Baloch has all that makes her the first choice for every big project. With her performance in dramas like Noor Pur Ki Rani, Mannchalay, Daam, Dastaan etc, she proved her significance in the industry. However, her girl-next-door persona in Durr-e-Shahwar won everyone’s heart. She made people cry with every tear she shed, and convinced directors that she is a true star.

If you were including veteran actors like Samina peerzada in this list, then Bushra Ansari should’ve been included too. She has given some extremely versatile performances this year e.g. in the Ayegi baraat series, Bilqees Kaur n Mera Naseeb to name a few.

Playwright has created a character so divine that you forget geetas, sitas, bovarys, anna kareninnas and the scheming women of Jane Austin.

And the way this young lady has acted, the way she speaks Urdu. Oh my God.

Barri Aappa is like a captain of a sinking ship, surrounded by lesser mortals.The ferocity of her character, so endearing, comes from her determination to uphold the values of a fine culture against social upheavals and decline of graces.

This Play is like “Love in times of Cholera”. Comparable to Greek tragedies.

This article has been unkind to lot of talented TV artists in Pakistan. By excluding Bari Apa, Saba Qamar, Faisal Qurashi Bushra Ansari to name the few. You picked the one think in you opinion are tops. You Should either use a technical survey to prove your opinion or take the term ‘top ten’ from your header. Recommend

I love dramas being aired on the many private channels. Out country has lots of talents; I am impressed by the many young actors that have now replaced older ones like Humayun Saeed. We have a variety to see, good scripts, directions, story lines, locales (Murree can be so enchanting vis a vis Aik Nayee Cinderella). Just love these people because they are a breath of fresh air. I stopped watching Pakistani dramas a long time ago…no I am not a fan of the Hindi dramas or for that matter the recent Turkish ones. I am back to watching our plays and am glued to Zindagi Gulzar Hhai, Raju Rocket and some others if I can find time.